Côte d’Ivoire exported a record 44,403 metric tons of cashew kernels between January and May 2026, a 51% increase from a year earlier, making it the world’s second-largest exporter after Vietnam. The growth reflects expanding domestic processing, boosted by government incentives such as export bonuses, tax exemptions, and temporary restrictions on raw cashew exports that encouraged local processors to buy more nuts. The country’s processing industry has expanded significantly over the past decade, with 37 operating plants and a combined capacity of 830,000 metric tons. However, industry analysts warn that much of the value created still flows overseas because Vietnam remains the dominant destination for semi-processed kernels, where final processing and branding occur. Experts argue that unless West African processors gain stronger financing and move further up the value chain, the region risks remaining concentrated in lower-margin processing despite increasing export volumes and industrial investment.
Ecofin Agency